he mentioned how they want to maintain benefits for current retirees, but that's nothing new and obviously a tactic. And wasn't that where he was talking to a panel of Republicans? So obviously none of them is going to correct him and say, no you're wrong Chris, we still want to get rid of Social Security.

will demand even MORE entitlement spending so they don't want to reduce the current spending. My further guess is that he reasons that the aforementioned citizenry would, in the absence of Medicare, demand single payer and put the insurance companies out of business (except for nonessential health care such as private hospital rooms, etc). Better the devil you know...

strategy.
don't take everything away from everybody all at once - then let people fight over their territories.

Divide and conquer is a key part of the Republican strategy.